Emergency closure hits Chiltern route as signalling issue halts trains

Passengers travelling in Buckinghamshire are facing disruption after a safety-critical fault forced the closure of a key rail route.

Network Rail has shut the line between Amersham railway station and Aylesbury Vale Parkway railway station after an electrical issue affecting the signalling system was discovered during inspections.

The fault impacts the equipment used to safely control train movements, meaning engineers must carry out a full inspection and repair programme before services can resume. As a result, the route will be closed on Wednesday 8 April, with efforts underway to reopen the line on Thursday 9 April.

Replacement buses will operate throughout the closure to keep passengers moving, while a temporary shuttle service between Amersham and Aylesbury is currently in place instead of the usual timetable.

Chiltern Railways has warned that journeys between London Marylebone railway station and Aylesbury Vale Parkway via Amersham will take significantly longer than normal, with journey planners updated to reflect the changes.

Passengers who would usually travel via the Metropolitan line route are being advised to use London Underground Metropolitan line services between Amersham and Baker Street station, with replacement buses connecting onward rail services. Those travelling between Aylesbury and London are advised to use services via Princes Risborough.

Adam Checkley, infrastructure director for Network Rail’s Central route, said:

"I am sorry for the added inconvenience this will cause but we have had no choice but to close the line while we complete a full survey to identify and fix this safety-critical issue. We will reopen the line as quickly as we can and I thank passengers for their understanding."

Michael Stewart, commercial and customer strategy director at Chiltern Railways, said:

“I understand these short-notice works will impact our customers and I would like to thank them for their patience while they are being carried out tomorrow (Wednesday 8 April). A rail replacement service will be in operation instead of the planned shuttle trains between Aylesbury Vale Parkway and Amersham. If you are travelling in the affected area, please check your journey planners which will be updated this evening as journeys will be subject to further disruption tomorrow.”

Image: Network Rail